Ontario Improving Access to High-Speed Internet for Over 250,000 Students

Ministry of Education

Province Enabling Faster Access to High-Quality Online Learning Resources

Guelph, ON – Feb 14, 2018

Ontario is connecting over 250,000 students at approximately 850 schools with high-speed internet as part of a commitment to improve internet access at all publicly funded schools across the province.

Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education, was joined by Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph, at Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School in Guelph this morning to announce the next wave of schools in Ontario’s broadband modernization program.

Improving access to high-speed internet will enable more students and educators to access high-quality online courses and resources regardless of where they attend school, helping students to learn the transferable skills that they need in a globally connected and technology-engaged world. Students can participate in interactive lessons on topics such as coding or math through online learning platforms like Homework Help and mPower. Educators can also communicate with parents about their child’s learning and progress.

Providing more students with high-speed internet and virtual learning services is part of Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.